Vodka bottles, flies and filth: Wolverhampton father jailed for horrendous neglect of his own children

The man, who is in his 40s and from Wolverhampton but cannot be named for legal reasons, mistreated his children aged between two and 14.

The city's crown court heard this week how authorities were alerted to the family in June after one of the youngsters was taken to hospital for a burn on their foot.

Judge John Wait said when the police arrived at the property they found 'not a home but squalor'.

The children were unkempt, their hair and clothing smelled, they had poor dental hygiene, head lice and were described as 'emotionally flat' or with 'frozen awareness' by doctors.

The house smelled and had flies. There were also dirty plates and cutlery piled up, filthy walls and empty vodka bottles strewn on the floor.

The youngsters' sleeping conditions and bedding were 'not appropriate' and the older children were 'almost obligated' to look after the younger children and do the shopping. The court heard that, on occasions, there was not enough food.

An older child also said she was unable to bathe at times as the bath had been used as a toilet and not been cleaned.

All of the children are now in foster care. The man pleaded guilty to neglect at an appearance in January,

At this week's sentencing hearing, Judge Wait said: "Parents have a duty to care for, nurture, and love their children and look after them.

"You have not worked for 16 years. There have been concerns for your caring for your children over the years, which in 2011 gave rise to a supervision order and family proceedings - but you have since had further children."

He said the man's neglect was 'born of his inadequacies rather than malice'.

Mr O'Gorman, defending, said what happened was a 'complete breakdown of care'.

"The harm the children suffered was significant but it was of a hygienic nature. They did not suffer injuries." he said.

"It is obvious from what your honour has heard, I hope, that however incompetent and however at times selfish, this man loves his children and his children love him.

"There has to be a very strong likelihood that they will never be together again as a family and that's a punishment."

Judge Wait added that the man was an alcoholic and he should use his two years behind bars to 'dry out'.

“You should take this sentence as an opportunity if you have any real love for your children, so you can be a father on your release,” he added.